Dunga Wants To Keep Leandro Damiao At Internacional

Internacional coach Dunga has stated that he is determined to fend off interest from overseas and keep a hold of star striker Leandro Damiao at the club this summer, Sky Sports reports.

The Brazilian international has been a long time target for Tottenham Hotspur, but recently Premier League rivals Southampton and Serie A giants Napoli have also shown an interest in bringing him to Europe.

However, despite the heavy interest, former national team coach Dunga – who is now in charge at Internacional, is hoping he will be able to hold on to the 23-year-old.

“No manager wants to lose a player as good as Leandro Damiao. He is a striker who imposes himself, who knows how to score goals,” he told Zero Hora.

“I am not ready to lose him. You’ll have to ask the president if he is ready.”

Meanwhile, Internacional’s director of football, Luis Cesar Souto de Moura, has realigned his stance that the club’s asking price of €20 million (£17.2m) is still too low for the player.

“I think that offer is too low for Leandro Damiao. He is a goalscorer and a national team player.

“I have a big hope that he doesn’t leave, but I can’t guarantee that.”